My travel highlights of 2021

2021 started out off on a tranquil be aware. Like most pieces of the earth, the Netherlands remained in lockdown. Limits were little by little lifted in early-spring, and as the months passed, we had been before long able to journey again. I stayed place for much of the very first 50 percent of the year. My lockdown routine consisted mostly of working on this blog site, striving new recipes, long walks and binge-viewing. I was primarily thankful for the enjoyment delivered by the Euro (soccer/soccer) Championships and the Tokyo Olympics!

When dining establishments, cafés and stores ended up permitted to run once more, I went on many excursions all-around the Netherlands. Following currently being totally inoculated, I went on my 1st cross-border trip (to France) in August. This was adopted by several visits to some of my favourite nations in Europe, such as Spain and Italy. So, even with the pandemic, I’m grateful I got to vacation! Here are some of my favourite travel encounters from 2021:

A snowy wintertime in Amsterdam

This was my emphasize of the very first couple months of 2021! A chilly front from Siberia resulted in snowfall and freezing temperatures in Amsterdam. The metropolis, lined in snow, looked unquestionably magical. A week afterwards, the canals ended up sufficiently frozen for anyone to venture out on to the ice. It genuinely was distinctive to see Amsterdam in the snow!

Netherlands road visits

I prepared numerous street journeys in the Netherlands as soon as eating places, museums and attractions ended up open up once again. 1 of the regions I explored was in central Netherlands all over the Delta of the Fantastic Rivers. This lovely location, with its lovely riverine surroundings, medieval towns, castles and mother nature parks, is a person I can definitely advise for any visitor to the Netherlands.

One more aspect of the Netherlands I frequented was Friesland in the north. I put in a 7 days checking out Friesland, a province of infinite meadows, lakes and historic towns.

One more noteworthy spot I frequented was Giethoorn, 1 of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands. Ordinarily crowded with holidaymakers and daytrippers, Giethoorn was wonderfully serene owing to the pandemic.

I also went on a character getaway one particular weekend. Considerably less than an hour away from Amsterdam lies the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, an space of reduced hills and thick forests. I invested the weekend hiking in the forests of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and browsing a lot of historic attractions these types of as Europe’s premier pyramid!

Montpellier

As soon as I knew when I would get my second jab, I scoured the Mediterranean coast in search of a summertime holiday place. I selected Montpellier, a wonderful town in the south of France. Near to the hills (and vineyards) of the Languedoc, and the lagoons and wild beaches of the Camargue, Montpellier was the best foundation from which to take a look at the area. Go through more about items to do in Montpellier.

Sitges

This beautiful seashore town south of Barcelona is one particular of my favourite summer months getaways. Apart from the seashores, Sitges has excellent dining establishments, a beautiful previous city with its maze of streets and attractive Art Nouveau buildings, and a lively nightlife. I celebrated my birthday there with my finest pal who was browsing from Canada – a long weekend of fantastic meals, leisurely walks alongside the promenade and entertaining on the seaside! Read through about issues to do in Sitges. 

Southern Germany highway vacation

This just one-week road vacation in southern Germany was a further of my favorite travel activities in 2021! I began in Munich and manufactured my way south to the Alps, continued together the foothills of the Alps before reaching Lake Constance. From there, I headed north to Stuttgart. Along the way, I handed various medieval towns, stunning Alpine scenery, and countless castles and fortresses. Among the the highlights of this trip were being the castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof the fascinating columns of STOA 169 and Tübingen, a wonderfully photogenic medieval town.

Rhône River cruise

October was my busiest travel thirty day period of the year, with two wonderful back-to-back outings. I commenced with a return to France, this time to Lyon, exactly where I embarked on a just one-week Rhône River cruise with the Avalon Poetry II.

This river cruise in the south of France introduced us past some of the most stunning destinations in the region these types of as the Beaujolais, Ardeche Gorge, Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Camargue. It was a blissful week of good food items and wines, amazing landscapes, interesting locations, and unforgettable encounters with my blogger pals.

Emilia-Romagna Artwork Towns highway vacation

My next journey in Oct took me back to Emilia-Romagna, Italy. My assignment was to address the eleven Artwork Metropolitan areas of Emilia-Romagna on an eight-working day road journey. As if eleven metropolitan areas weren’t sufficient, I resolved to also explore the medieval villages and hill cities together the way! It turned out to be an epic Emilia-Romagna highway excursion, a single I won’t effortlessly fail to remember!

Palma de Mallorca

At the incredibly very last moment, I decided to go to a conference in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. It was wonderful to see quite a few of my blogger buddies once again, and take a look at Palma, an completely fantastic city! I took some time off from the conference to stroll about Palma and uncover the city’s stunning architecture.

On to 2022

Even with the problems posed by the pandemic, I created it by means of 2021 safely and securely and in good health and fitness, and I’m actually grateful that I received to travel yet again! The only issue I didn’t get to do was visit my loved ones in Malaysia, a thing I hope to do in the new calendar year.

The Netherlands is now back in a lockdown. I hope it won’t past as lengthy as the former one particular! It is anyone’s guess what 2022 will convey, though I’m certain the pandemic will proceed to dominate the information. I’m celebrating a distinctive private milestone in 2022 so I hope I’ll be ready to do that with couple of limitations. 😉

To all my visitors, a huge thank you for continuing to take a look at my site! I want you a new 12 months full of like, superior health and fitness, results and wonderful vacation experiences!